An RSS-backed think tank called the Jammu & Kashmir Study Centre has challenged the constitutional validity of Article 35A.

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday received a notice issued by the Supreme Court on a petition of RSS-backed think tank challenging the Article 35A of Indian Constitution.

An RSS-backed think tank called the Jammu & Kashmir Study Centre has challenged the constitutional validity of Article 35A, which, according to think tank, debars non-residents of J&K from buying land or property, getting a government job or voting in Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

"We have received the notice. The case is at registry stage, we will prepare reply according to Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir," Law Minister Syed Basharat Ahmad Bukhari told MAIL TODAY. He insisted whenever the case would come for hearing, the Jammu and Kashmir government would take firm position according to J&K Constitution.

The National Conference on Wednesday reiterated its resolve of opposing any move aimed at weakening the special status of J&K. In a statement the party's Valley president said, "With respect to the August 17 hearing, the people of J&K want to know what is the state government's response, and what will be their legal plan of action apart from ceremonial newspaper statements?"

The opposition posed this question in response to Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh's statement wherein he clearly maintained that the BJP will continue to fight for revocation of Article 370.